Oh, the Possibilities!

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." -Romans 15:13

Hey hey, it's summer break!

What a wild and blessed season these last few months have been. They were filled with

Quiet.

January through March were months filled with solitude, reflection and creating without distraction. Yes, there were classes and opportunities and lots of painting, but mostly quietly reflecting.

Okay, I’ll admit, it wasn’t always quiet reflection…too often there was whining about how quiet it was, but that's because the months before had been so vital and active. Truth be told, I needed to be reminded how God is still sovereign, and I was the one in need of adjusting…God was speaking and I wasn’t listening, until I had nothing else to focus on except His presence. This was precisely where our good God wanted me (I’m always stunned it takes me so long to adjust my heart to the one who loves me enough to sacrifice himself for me).

April, in contrast, brought invigorated energy to so many aspects of life, ministry and ideas. So much excitement, not the least of these was representation at the Laguna Beach gallery, Forest & Ocean Gallery. That was both a blessing and a surprise, but mostly a crazy blessing. Six paintings! Three years into this journey, I have representation at a beautiful gallery and one in a city so close to home! PLUS: this month and next (June & July), I will have a solo exhibition of my work at Anne's Boutique Wines in Costa Mesa...26 pieces ranging from early, less familiar pieces to a large selection of the "Beauty From Ashes" collection to the newest pieces in my abstract series!

And there’s more! Other things I’m not ready to share as of today, but here I am, standing at a precipice of possibilities, overwhelmed…mostly at God’s mercy and grace for us, me most of all. All of this came on the heals of a trip to NYC that brought lesson after lesson (along with new possible opportunities, plus great time with friends!). Too much to name here.

It’s funny that when I painted the piece "Precipice of Possible" (viewed above), I didn’t fully understand all it might represent. Today, although I’m being ambiguous…I see clearly God has been at work! My goal is that I stay in his will and at his bidding, in spite of my own ambition. His plans are perfect, even if they don’t look like my plans, I can trust him.

Perhaps my sweet Lord requires for me to stay longer in the solitude and remain content to not move. Perhaps not. But today, I will sit here, so grateful of the blessings of creating and having work represented, and by proxy, His great commission on my life and through it.

To him be the glory and the power and the praise. I am but a servant. Humbled to be so.

Here's to summer, my friends! I pray yours will be slow, beautiful days filled with joy, contentment with where you're at and a longing to be in God's will above all.